Apple has warned iPhone users to be on their guard against a new ‘smishing’ (SMS phishing) scam where the perpetrators are posing as Apple. The scam involves the scammers contacting iPhone users with the excuse of needing to sort out a login issue.

The targeted users are sent a URL which actually leads to a fake iCloud phishing page with the intention of stealing the user’s login details, accessing their account, and stealing other personal details and financial information.

Apple has warned that criminals are now using sophisticated versions of social engineering tactics like phishing in the form of fraudulent emails, misleading pop-ups and ads, scam phone calls or voicemails (impersonating Apple Support or Apple partners), fake promotions, and unwanted calendar invitations and subscriptions.

Apple has issued advice on a support page of how users can protect themselves. The advice includes the suggestion that if customers are suspicious about an unexpected message, it’s best to assume it is a scam and to contact that company directly if they need to. Other key pieces of advice suggest that users should never share personal data or security information (e.g. passwords or security codes), protect Apple ID’s (with 2FA), and it’s also suggested not to use Apple Gift Cards to make payments to other people.

Start-up Oxford Ionics (founded 2019) recently reported that its new quantum chip breaks global quantum performance records, providing over twice the performance of previous world records, and without using error correction. What’s more, the company reports that the new quantum chip can be built at scale in existing semiconductor factories.

Dr Michael Cuthbert, Director of the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre, said: “The new results mark a pivotal step forward in ion trap quantum computing and validates the scalability of the technology.” 

However, although advances in quantum computing and its scalability offer many advantages, they may also increase risks to current encryption methods. For example, algorithms like RSA and ECC, which rely on difficult mathematical problems, could be easily broken by quantum computers using Shor’s algorithm. This makes the development and implementation of quantum-resistant encryption, such as lattice-based cryptography or quantum key distribution, urgently necessary. Immediate action is required to safeguard sensitive data against future quantum threats.

Amazon recently boasted reaching its 100 per cent renewable energy goal seven years earlier than the 2030 goal. However, with Microsoft and Google disclosing an increase in greenhouse gasses due to infrastructure expansion, we look at whether the prospects of hyperscalers actually hitting their renewable energy targets (and carbon reduction targets) are realistic.

Amazon Hits Target Seven Years Early 

Amazon announced that it had achieved its goal of matching all the electricity consumed by its global operations with 100 per cent renewable energy, seven years ahead of the original 2030 target. Given that Amazon’s AWS is the largest cloud provider globally, holding 31 per cent share of the global cloud infrastructure market, and is one of the key “hyperscalers”, along with Microsoft (Azure) and Google (Cloud Platform – GCP), it sounds like an amazing feat.

Amazon’s milestone towards sustainability includes all its data centres (more than 100 in 24 regions globally) corporate buildings, fulfillment centers, and physical stores.

How? 

The company attributes this hugely accelerated achievement to its significant investments in over 500 solar and wind projects across 27 countries, which have been capable of generating enough energy to power the equivalent of 21.9 million EU homes. Amazon has become the largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy for four consecutive years, investing billions of dollars in renewable energy projects globally. Such projects not only help reduce carbon emissions but also contribute to economic growth in the communities where they are developed.

What Was The Target? 

The target that Amazon claims to have hit (surprisingly) was its goal to match all electricity consumed across its operations by 2030. Amazon has also committed to The Climate Pledge, which aims to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Nuclear War 

However, Amazon’s $650 million deal made back in March whereby AWS acquired Talen Energy’s data centre campus, right next to the 2.5-gigawatt Susquehanna nuclear power station in Pennsylvania (intended to meet the growing AI power requirements) has hit a (temporary) wall. Protests from American Electric Power (AEP) and Exelon have been lodged with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). These companies are essentially arguing that the interconnection service agreement (ISA) between Talen and AWS could allow the data-centre to benefit from the transmission system without paying the appropriate fees – a potential cost shift of up to $140 million per year. They argue that this would unfairly impact other ratepayers. They have also highlighted issues with grid availability.

Talen, however, argues that the consortium’s claims are false and has urged ERC to ignore the consortium’s request for a hearing.

Microsoft And Google’s GHG Emissions Up 

Although Amazon is busy claiming success in terms of renewable energy sustainability goals, reports showing an increase in GHG emissions from two other hyperscalers, Microsoft and Google are casting doubts on whether their carbon reduction commitments can be reached. For example, Microsoft’s 2024 Environmental sustainability report (May 2024) showed that its GHG emissions for 2023 were 29.1 higher than its 2020 baseline, calling into question whether it will hit its pledge to become carbon-negative by 2030. The company blamed the rise on the construction of more data-centres and the associated carbon in the building materials.

Similarly, Google’s 2024 Environmental report showed that an increase in data-centre energy consumption in 2023 led to its 2023 GHG emissions being up by 13 per cent on the previous year. Google has blamed the increased consumption on the rapid advancements on AI.

How Do Renewable Energy Project Investments Help The Hyperscalers Reduce Their Carbon Emissions And Hit Targets? 

Investments in solar and wind projects by hyperscalers like those from AWS, not only help them to become more sustainable with their energy requirements but can help also help them to achieve carbon emission reduction targets in a number of ways. These include:

– Direct emission reductions. Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy directly cuts carbon emissions, powering operations with carbon-free sources.

– Energy efficiency. Projects include energy storage and advanced management systems, optimising use and ensuring reliable power for data centres.

– Economic and environmental benefits. Renewable energy investments can create jobs, foster technological advancements, and reduce environmental impacts from traditional energy production.

– Industry influence. The commitment of the hyperscalers to renewables can also help drive broader adoption and influences other companies to follow suit.

– Complementary technologies. Investments in battery storage, AI for energy management, and grid optimisation also enhance renewable energy integration.

Investments in renewable energy projects, such as those by AWS are, therefore, a way to focus on direct emission reductions rather than compensating for emissions through external projects (not just carbon offsetting), lowering operational carbon intensity and hopefully contributing to a sustainable future.

What About Putting Nuclear Power Stations Next To Data Centres? 

Nuclear power may be a low-carbon energy source, with significant benefits for reducing greenhouse gas emissions but it is not technically classified as ‘renewable energy’. This is because of its reliance on finite fuel resources and the environmental challenges associated with radioactive waste management. In this sense, it can’t be seen as contributing to the sustainability targets of AWS, and whether nuclear power is ‘sustainable’ is a more nuanced subject.

However, in terms of how/whether having a nuclear power station next to a data-centre can help meet the huge demand that technology such as AI is creating while also minimising carbon emissions, the facts are that nuclear power generates electricity without emitting carbon dioxide during operation. Therefore, as is the idea (currently being contested) of the Talen Energy data-centre campus project, by powering a data-centre with nuclear energy, a hyperscaler can dramatically reduce its carbon footprint compared to relying on fossil fuels as well as meeting the high and constant power demands of the data-centre.

The Challenge 

However, as identified by Amazon’s chief sustainability officer, Kara Hurst, when announcing hitting its 100 per cent renewable energy target seven years early, “We also know that this is just a moment in time, and our work to decarbonise our operations will not always be the same each year – we’ll continue to make progress, while also constantly evolving on our path to 2040”. The challenge identified here is how, with rising demand for data-centres (fuelled by a rapidly growing AI), Amazon can stay sustainable and have enough renewable energy to do so, not to mention keeping a close eye on all carbon emission targets.

Hurst has acknowledged that in order for AWS to do so, it will need to keep investing in more solar and wind projects, “while also supporting other forms of carbon-free energy, like nuclear, battery storage, and emerging technologies” to help power its operations in the right ways in the coming decades.

In the case of Google’s GHG emissions rising last year, it has also acknowledged the challenge of trying to reduce emissions while compute intensity increases, and technical infrastructure investment needs to grow to support the AI transition.

How Realistic Is The 100 Per Cent Renewable Energy Target? 

In terms of how realistic achieving 100 per cent renewable energy all the time is, the answer is that this is a challenging goal for the hyperscalers due to the inherent intermittency and variability of renewable sources like solar and wind. While Amazon has apparently successfully matched its electricity consumption with renewable energy through its significant solar and wind project investments, this achievement doesn’t necessarily mean that renewable energy is continuously supplying their power needs at every moment. Instead, they’re likely to be matching their overall energy use over time with renewable energy generation, relying on energy storage and grid integration to balance supply and demand.

The challenges become more pronounced with the rapid growth of data-centres and emerging technologies like AI, which demand constant and reliable power. Hyperscalers may need to complement renewable energy with other low-carbon sources, such as nuclear power, to ensure a stable energy supply. Nuclear power, for example, provides a steady base load of electricity (without carbon emissions), but it is not really renewable energy. Therefore, while 100 per cent renewable energy all the time is an aspirational goal, achieving it realistically will require a diversified energy mix, incorporating renewables, nuclear, and other advanced technologies to ensure both sustainability and reliability.

What Does This Mean For Your Organisation? 

Amazon’s achievement of reaching 100 per cent renewable energy seven years ahead of its target sets a high benchmark for other hyperscalers and demonstrates the potential impact of significant investments in renewable energy. Amazon’s accomplishment also shows that ambitious renewable energy goals can be attainable with substantial investment and strategic planning. However, the rapid expansion of infrastructure to meet the growing demand for AI and data services poses significant challenges. Microsoft and Google’s recent increases in greenhouse gas emissions highlight the difficulties in balancing expansion with sustainability.

Amazon’s achievement of reaching 100 per cent renewable energy seven years ahead of its target sets a high benchmark for hyperscalers and demonstrates the potential impact of significant investments in renewable energy. For hyperscalers, this accomplishment shows that ambitious renewable energy goals can be attainable with substantial investment and strategic planning. However, the rapid expansion of infrastructure to meet the growing demand for AI and data services poses significant challenges. Microsoft and Google’s recent increases in greenhouse gas emissions highlight the difficulties in balancing expansion with sustainability.

Achieving continuous 100 per cent renewable energy remains a complex challenge due to the intermittent nature of solar and wind power. For your organisation, this evolving energy landscape means it may be crucial to align with partners who are committed to sustainability and are proactively investing in innovative energy solutions.

Want to send HD videos? Well, now you can with WhatsApp …

You may not know that the Windows Calculator app also includes several hidden features such as scientific, programmer, date calculation modes, a currency converter, and more … making it a versatile tool for various tasks. Here’s how to use the hidden features:

To Open The Calculator

– Press Win + S and type Calculator, then open the app.

To Access Different Modes

– Click the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner.

– Select from different modes like Scientific, Programmer, Date Calculation, Currency Converter, Volume Converter, and more.

– Use these modes for advanced calculations, converting between number systems, or calculating the difference between dates.

Following an investigation into whether the big tech companies are complying with the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules, the European Commission’s preliminary findings say that Meta’s ‘Pay or Consent’ model for data-sharing is in breach of its new rules.

Investigation 

The European Commission (EC) launched an investigation into Google, Apple, and Meta to determine if their practices comply with the DMA. This (still ongoing) inquiry has been focused on potential violations by these tech giants that may undermine fair competition and consumer protection in the digital market.

Google and Apple, for example, are under scrutiny over their app store policies and possible restrictions on third-party developers, which could inhibit competition. The investigation into Meta centres on its ‘pay or consent’ model.

The Commission is essentially aiming to ensure these companies do not misuse their ‘gatekeeper’ positions to engage in unfair practices, restrict consumer choice, or impose discriminatory conditions. The investigation could result in significant penalties and mandated changes to their business practices to comply with the DMA.

What Is Meta’s Pay Or Consent Model? 

The ‘pay or consent’ model is a business practice where users are given a binary choice between two options – either pay a fee for a service or consent to having their data collected and used for targeted advertising. In November 2023, in response to regulatory changes in the EU, Meta introduced its binary ‘pay or consent’ offer. This means that EU users of Facebook and Instagram must choose between: (i) the subscription for a monthly fee to an ads-free version of these social networks or (ii) the free-of-charge access to a version of these social networks with personalised ads.

The Preliminary Findings – Why Is ‘Pay or Consent’ Not Acceptable Under The DMA Rules? 

The European Commission says it has informed Meta of its preliminary findings that its ‘pay or consent’ advertising model fails to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Commission says, in its preliminary view, “this binary choice forces users to consent to the combination of their personal data and fails to provide them a less personalised but equivalent version of Meta’s social networks”. 

According to the European Commission, Meta’s ‘pay or consent’ model breaches Article 5(2) of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) because:

– It doesn’t allow users to opt for a service that uses less of their personal data but is otherwise equivalent to the “personalised ads” based service.

– It doesn’t allow users to exercise their right to freely consent to the combination of their personal data.

The EC says that to ensure compliance with the DMA, “users who do not consent should still get access to an equivalent service which uses less of their personal data, in this case for the personalisation of advertising.” 

What Next For Meta? 

Further to being informed of the EC’s preliminary findings, Meta can now exercise its rights of defence, i.e. by examining the documents in the EC’s investigation file and replying in writing to the EC’s preliminary findings. The EC’s investigation is scheduled to conclude within 12 months from the opening of proceedings (on 25 March 2024).

What If Meta Is Found To Be Breaching EU Rules? 

If the EC’s preliminary views are found to be confirmed and it decides Meta’s model really doesn’t comply with Article 5(2) of the DMA, it could impose fines up to 10 per cent of Meta’s total worldwide turnover! For repeated infringement, this fine could even be increased to 20 per cent. In the extreme case of “systematic non-compliance”, the EC could take additional measures such as obliging Meta to sell a business (or parts of it) or to ban Meta from acquisitions of additional services related to the systemic non-compliance.

Constructive 

For the moment, however, the EC says it is continuing “constructive engagement with Meta” to identify a satisfactory path towards compliance.

What Does This Mean For Your Business? 

The European Commission’s investigation into Meta’s ‘pay or consent’ model is a significant development with broad implications for businesses in the UK and beyond. The Commission’s findings highlight the increasing regulatory scrutiny on how tech giants manage user data and the necessity for compliance with stringent data protection laws like the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

For Meta, this scrutiny could potentially lead to substantial operational and financial changes. If the investigation confirms the preliminary findings, Meta may face hefty fines, as much as 10 per cent of its global revenue, or even 20 per cent for repeated offences. Such financial penalties would not only impact Meta’s profitability but could also mean a restructuring of its business model in the EU – certainly things that Meta would want to avoid.

At the moment, however, these are only preliminary findings and ‘constructive’ negotiations are under way. It has nevertheless sent a warning shot across their bows that the EC is watching and is serious about enforcement from the outset, thereby underscoring the importance of adhering to regulatory requirements and maintaining transparent data practices.

Other big tech companies, particularly those operating within the EU, should take note of this investigation. The EC’s rigorous approach is also a signal of a broader regulatory trend that takes consumer rights and fair competition more seriously. Google, Apple, and similar companies must therefore ensure their policies align with DMA provisions to avoid similar investigations and potential penalties. This will mean proactive compliance strategies, where businesses regularly audit and adjust their data handling practices to meet evolving regulatory standards.

For UK businesses, particularly those in the tech and digital sectors, the implications are twofold. First, understanding and complying with EU regulations remains crucial, especially for businesses with a significant user base or operational presence in Europe. The DMA’s focus on fair competition and consumer protection could lead to stricter data governance requirements, necessitating adjustments in how data is collected, stored, and utilised.

Secondly, this development may offer a competitive edge to businesses that adhere to ethical data practices and who are transparent. By aligning with regulatory standards and demonstrating a commitment to user privacy, UK businesses can build trust and differentiate themselves in a market increasingly concerned with data protection.

In essence, therefore, this ongoing investigation into Meta’s practices (as well as Google and Apple) serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regulatory compliance in the digital age, and that the EU area is getting serious about data protection and competition where tech firms are concerned. Businesses should, therefore, stay informed about legal developments, proactively engage with regulatory frameworks, and pay serious attention to matters of user privacy and data governance.